Food galore

A smorgasbord of food will be available to paddlers, organisers, supporters, and spectators during this year’s Vaka Eiva 2010 international paddling tournament.

For the second consecutive year, night markets are being held at the Punanga Nui Market Place where a variety of traditional and modern fare can be sampled.

Punanga Nui manager Elmah McBirney said the Tuesday and Thursday night markets from 5pm to 10pm would predominantly comprise food stalls, showcasing the best the Cook Islands had to offer.

Last year three night markets were held on site, although organisers decided to give vendors a break in the 2010 schedule, McBirney said.

Tuesday and Thursday nights were also free of most other major events associated with the week-long festival, she said.

“Three nights is a bit too much, so we’ll have a break. That fits in with the programme this year as well.”

Regular market vendors will be accompanied by those establishing stalls especially for Vaka Eiva 2010.

Barbecue food, traditional Cook Islands home cooking, and dishes with an international flavour will be for sale.

McBirney said live music and entertainment would also be on offer at the night markets, and this year’s Raro Idol contestants were welcome to perform.

As well as food, art and crafts will be available to market-goers.

Stalls permanently established on site will be open, and other temporary vendors may sell cultural products from the outer islands as well as Rarotonga.

McBirney said the night markets were likely to attract hundreds of people, as last year’s were a huge success.

“It’s always popular – the flow of people into the market is pretty good. In the past we’ve had about 30 stallholders, and they always go home happy.”